A team of Lakeville legislators will successfully deliver two projects that address the concerns of residents in Lakeville: one will fund a new freight rail car storage facility and another will fund the construction of a regional public safety training center.
The first bill, chief authored by Senator Zach Duckworth (R-Lakeville) and Representative Jon Koznick (R-Lakeville) and co-authored by Representative Jeff Witte (R-Lakeville), funds a much-needed freight rail car storage facility in Lakeville. Progressive Rail currently operates a track in Lakeville that has been storing rail cars on derelict tracks. This has led to both the tracks and cars falling into disrepair. The site has been left in poor condition and has not only marred the landscapes behind housing communities in the city but has also presented substantial safety concerns for residents. Additionally, numerous issues have led to rail cars being shuffled between tracks for storage purposes, which often block entrances and exits of neighborhoods. This has created transportation issues for residents, first responders, school buses, and anyone traveling in the vicinity.
“This storage issue has been adversely affecting families and communities in Lakeville for over a decade and our team at the Capitol made it a priority to deliver for the residents of Lakeville,” said Duckworth. “This is a safety concern for families and their kids, and it has presented undue challenges for transportation in and around the rail tracks. The community has dealt with this dangerous situation long enough, it’s time we address the problem.”
This bill appropriates $7 million for the design, engineering, and furnishing of a freight rail car storage facility. The project allows the rail cars to finally be stored elsewhere, where they no longer present a risk to the community.
“The issue of parked train cars is more than a nuisance and blight issue, but it is a safety issue and economic development opportunity as well,” said Koznick. “Having lived in a neighborhood that becomes blocked during the movement of train cars, I’ve experienced this issue firsthand. I have worked with the City of Lakeville on addressing the needs and look forward to the project taking shape and ultimately completion.”
The second bill, authored by Duckworth and Witte and co-authored by Koznick, funds a $7.17 million grant to the city of Lakeville to design, construct, and equip the renovation of an existing building for a regional public safety training center that will serve several neighboring communities and counties.
“This training facility will address a critical need for both Lakeville and the entire south metro area,” said Witte. “There are currently limited training centers throughout the metro area. Building this training center will create a safe and central location for additional training opportunities, and will provide additional support for law enforcement throughout the entire metro area. This will be a welcome addition to our community.”
This project will provide a training facility for first responders serving throughout the various southern Twin Cities metro areas. Allocated funding will allow the facility to include physical and virtual training areas, tactical training rooms, a firing range, classrooms, and various meeting areas.
“Our community extends its deepest gratitude to our dedicated legislative delegation for their unwavering support in securing crucial funding for our public safety and freight rail infrastructure projects,” said Lakeville Mayor Luke Hellier. “These projects will enhance regional safety and security while providing economic development opportunities.”
The final plans, detail and specifications for these projects will be handled by the City.